By Akani Nkuna
A last-minute scramble over the venue for Heritage Day celebrations has spilled into a political fight in the Western Cape, after the event was shifted from KwaZulu-Natal to DA-led George and then to Oudtshoorn, where Patriotic Alliance leader and arts and culture minister Gayton McKenzie’s party holds the council speakership.
The changes were made just days before Thursday’s celebration.
The Western Cape Government criticised the handling of the event, saying: “Heritage Day belongs to all South Africans. It should never become a political football. It is one of our country’s most important national days and should be properly and professionally planned.”
“This is not how an event of this proportions should be run. A decision like this, taken days before the event and without consultation, is not planning; it is improvisation at the taxpayer’s expense,” said Western Cape Cultural Affairs and Sport MEC Ricardo Mackenzie.
The celebration was originally planned to be held together with uMkhosi weLembe.
But following “discussions” with King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and KZN Sport, Arts and Culture MEC Mntomuhle Khawula, McKenzie’s ministry said it had concluded that uMkhosi weLembe should have its own day.
“uMkhosi weLembe belongs to the Zulu nation, and it deserves its own stage. We have no wish to take anything away from a commemoration that has been a source of pride for generations. We wish His Majesty and the Zulu Kingdom great blessings for their celebrations this Thursday,” McKenzie said.
The change triggered a hurried search for another venue.
Government Communications announced on Friday that the event had been moved to Thembalethu in George, while the Presidency followed on Monday with an announcement that President Cyril Ramaphosa would deliver the keynote address at Rosemoor Stadium in the city.
That arrangement lasted only days.
On Tuesday, McKenzie announced that George had been dropped and the event would instead take place at Bongolethu Sport Stadium in Oudtshoorn.
His department said George Municipality and the Western Cape Government were “unable and unwilling” to make the accommodations needed to host the event at short notice.
George Mayor Browen Johnson is a DA councillor and the municipality’s speaker, Sean Snyman, is also from the DA.
McKenzie praised Oudtshoorn for accepting the event at even shorter notice.
“They were given less time than anyone has ever been given for an event of this stature, and they said yes without hesitation. I am confident that together we will deliver a highly memorable celebration of our living heritage, and we have been humbled and inspired by the servant leadership of the administration in Oudtshoorn, who saw only an opportunity to serve their country, not a reason to say no,” he said.
Oudtshoorn executive mayor, Jan van der Ross, is an ANC councillor, while council speaker Suzane Jansen is a PA councillor.
McKenzie apologised to George residents and businesses who had expected to benefit from the event.
“George will still get its national day, however,” McKenzie said. “We will bring one there, with the advance notice that both the municipal and provincial administrations have told us they require without exception.”
The event will now take place at Bongolethu Sport Stadium in Oudtshoorn, with Ramaphosa expected to deliver the keynote address.
Misuzulu’s spokesperson, Mpikayise Buthelezi, did not respond to requests for comment.
INSIDE POLITICS
